Electrical generating system.



F. A. HERWEHE.

ELECTRICAL GENERATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION HLED SEPT-28. 1914.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

F. A. HEBWEHE.

ELECTRICAL GENERATING SYSTEMJ APPLICATION riuzo SEPT. 28. 1914.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- E. A. HERWEHE. ELECTRICAL GENERATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION map SEPT. 28. 1914.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

3 'SHEETSSHEET 3.

witness PATENT oF E,

,rmnmcx mime: mama, or uonnon, rows:

mm. omwm'rme s'rsrmr'.

Toall whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FimonmcK'A. HER- WEHE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Monroe, in the county of Jasper and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Electrical Generating System, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an aero-turbine 'of simple, durable and 'inexe pensive construction.

More particularly, it is my object to provide a device of the general class mentioned in which a wind wheel and a dynamo are mounted upon a suitable tower or the like, and in which the dynamo is adapted to 1'0- tate or swing with the wheel and in which the ordinary wind vane is dispensed with.

- Still a further object is toprovide such a device in'which the wheel is provided with a plurality of vanes capable of certain pivotal movement,

.area of resistance may wind.

Still a further object is to provide in such a machine a wind wheel provided with an automatic governor, whereby the vanes are turned to present less angle of resistance to the wind whenever the wheel rotates at a certain predetermined maximum speed.

A further object is to provide in such a device means whereby the electricity generated may be transmitted to theground below by suitable conductors which will not be interfered with by the fact that the wind wheel and the dynamo rotate with relation. to the tower.

In. general, it is my purpose to provide a dynamooperated from a wind wheel or a tower or the like, the parts being so arranged and constructed that the circuit through the dynamo will be shut off when the wheel travels below a certain predetermined speed, and also so arranged that the wheel will be prevented by an automatic governor from traveling above a certain predetermined maximum speed, and to provide also in sucha device a means for manuall controlling the wheel.

y invention consists in certain details, in the construction, combination and arrangement of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contem lated are attained, as hereinaftermore 5111} set forth,

be presented to the Specification of Letters 1mm.

whereby a greater or less The lower Patented Aug. e, 1918.

3 mention am; September as, 1914. Serial No,- 863,908.

pointed out in my claims, andillustrated in the accompanymgdrawings, in which:

F1 re 1 shows .a side elevation of a dynamo, 5 owing the method whereby it is mount-" ed on the tower. f

Fig. 2 shows a. top or plan view of the dynamo, with the upper portion of thecasi therefor removed.

ig. 3 shows a front elevation of a portion of the wind wheel.

Fig. 4 shows a detail, sectional view, taken on the line H of'Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a deta1l view of one of the vanes of the wind wheel, taken from the outer end thereof.

Fig. 6 shows a vertical, central, sectional .view through the collecting devices mounted on the tower for transmltting the current from the rotating dynamo to the wires below.

Fig. 7 shows a horizontal, sectional view, taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows a side elevation of the upper portion of the tower with the dynamo and wind wheel installed thereon, and

Fig. 9 shows a diagrammatic view, illustrating the arrangements of the circuits.

Fig. 10 shows a detail view of the governor.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally a tower which may be of any suitable construction, such as that of an nary wind mill tower. Mounted at the upper end of the tower 10 is a suitable platform 11, formed on which is a ball race 12. Above the platform 11 is the dynamo provided with a ball race 14. Between the races 12 and-11 are the balls 15, whereby the dynamo 13 is mounted to rotate with relation to the tower 10. The dynamo 13, as indicated in Fig. 9, is of a compounding wound type. The windings are within the portion 16 of the dynamo casings. Within the portion 17 of the easordi- .ings are gearing devices hereinafter to be I described.

Between the casing members 17 and 16 there is formed a downwardly extending tube 18, which extends downwardly through the platform 11', as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. end of the tube 18 is mounted in a suitable bearing 19 on the frame of the tower 10. The gearing devices hereinafter to be described, the dynamo bearing and the so arranged that they are substantially'bahanced above the tower. In other words, the gearing devices and wind wheel are so arranged with relation to the dynamo that the weight of the dynamo balances the gearing and wind wheel to permit the freest possible rotationof the dynamo and wind wheel with relation to the tower.

Formed on the end of the casing member 17, farthest away from the casing member 16, is a casing in which is mounted a shaft 21 in suitable ball bearings 22. Mounted within the casing portion 17 are two transverse shafts 23 and 24. the shaft 21 is a beveled gear 25 in mesh with Y a small beveled gear 26 on the shaft 23. Om

the shaft 23 is a pinion 27 in mesh with a smaller pinion 28 on the shaft 24. Qn'the shaft 24 is a beveled gear 29 in mesh with the beveled gear 30 on the armature shaft 31.

It will be seen from the relative sizes of the gears hereinbefore referred to that the comparatively slow speed of the wind wheel which operate the shaft 21, as hereinafter described, will impart a comparatively faster rotation to the armature shaft. Mountedon the outer end of the shaft 21 is a hub 32 which is keyed to said shaft. On each side of the hub 32 on the shaft 21 is a retaining collar 33. Extending. radially outwardly from the hub 32 are members 34 which, for convenience, I shall call spokes.

It will be understood that the frame-of the wind wheel which is now being described may be made of wood or suitable metal construction, as may be desired. The ends of i the spokes 34 are connected by suitable frame members 35, forming where six spokes are used a hexagon, as partially shown in Fig. 3.

The hub 32 is preferably provided with a plurality of pairs of radially outwardly extending arms 36. The inner 'end of each spoke 34 is received between a pair of said arms 36. The outer ends of the spokes 34 may be secured to the ends of the adjacent members 35 by means of clamping plates'37.

Qecured to the spokes 34 at points spaced ;:part from their inner ends is an annular ing 38, made of angle bar, as shown in Fig. 4. One flange of the annular angle bar 38 is secured to the spokes 34 and the other flange extends away from said spokes at right angles thereto. The latter flange is provided with a plurality of openings 39.

' Arranged adjacent to and spaced from the annular ring 38 on the side thereof away from the spokes 34 is a similar annular ring 40, made of angle bar having in one of its flanges openings 41 similar to the openings 39. The vanes 42 of the wind wheel now being described are provided at their inner end with pairs of inwardly extending lugs 43. One of said lugs 43 on each vane 15 I rotatably received within one of the operr' ings39 and the other lug. on the same vane is rotatably received within one of the openings 41, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The vanes 42 are pivotally mounted with relation to the members 35 by means of brackets 44 secured to the members 35 by bolts 45. On each of the vanes 42 i a bracket 46 pivoted to the bracket 44 by means of a bolt 47 to permit tilting orpivotal movement of the vanes 42 with relation to the members 35 for varying the area or angle of resistance presented to 7 the wind by the vanes.

It will readily be seen that by rotating the annular ring 40, the vanes 42 may be tilted to vary their angle of resistance. For automatically controlling the angle of resistance of the vanes 42, the following substantiallyparallel with the members 34. I Slidably mounted on the arms 49 are weights 51 which may be secured in various positions of their movement by means of set screws 52. The weighted arms 49 are yieldingly held inwardly by means of springs 53. The arms 48 are pivotally connected with links 54 which extend radially inwardly and at their inner ends are pivoted to a collar 58, slidably mounted on the shaft 21. In the arms 50 are slots 55, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, and as showndn Fig. 4, which are radially elongated. Mounted on the annular member 40 are members 56 having laterally extending portions 57 which are re ceived within the slots 55. The parts just described are so constructed and arranged that when the collar 58 is moved longitudinally on the shaft 21, the arms 50 will be swung around their pivotal point as a center, thereby tending to rotate the annular member 40 and to change the angle of resistance of the vanes 42. Fixed to the shaft 21 between the wind wheel and the casing member 20 is a collar 59. Slidably mounted on the shaft 21, between the collar 59 and the casing members 20, is a collar 60. The 001-, lars 58 and 60 are rigidly connected with each other by means of rods 61, slidably extended through the collar 59, as shown in nected with the arms 49, then swing around and to lessen the angle of resistance ofisaid vanes 42. Formed on the'gear cas ng of the I motor is an arm orvbracket 63, to. which is pivoted an outwardly extending bifurcated arm 64, in the u lar groove 66, in the collar 60. .A flexible:

er ends of which are mounted pins 65 .w 10h, extend into an; annudevice 67 is pivoted'to' the arm 64 and ex- 7 tended over aulley 68- in the member'14, and then exten ed downwardly through the supportin tower. Mounted'on .the rod 61, between t e collar 58 and the collar 59, are coil springs 69 which tend to hold the collar 58 at the extreme limit of its movement toward the wheel and thereby to hold the vanes 42 in position to expose the greatestsurface to the wind. By pulling the flexible device 67 downwardly, the springs 69 may be compressed and the vanes moved edgewise to the wind.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that power is transmitted from the wind wheel to the shaft v31.

The casing 16 which carries the shaft 31 is designed to form the portion of the electric generator in which the pole pieces 70 are secured. Each of the pole pieces 70 is provided with a compound winding 71 which is of the ordinary construction. Secured to the shaft 31 midway between the inner end of the pole pieces 70 is an armature 7 2, having a comm'utator7 3. Rotatably mounted within the casing 16, adjacent to one end of the'armature 72 is an annular ring 74, designed to carry thebrush holders 75, each of the brush holders 75 being pro- -vided with a brush76.

Thus it will be seen that by a slight rotation of the annular ring. 74, the brushes 76 may be properly adjusted relative to the commutator 73. Each of the brush holders wardly extending tube 18. As pointed outin my objects it is my purpose'to provide a storage battery at the base of the tower placed in a suitable building for that purpose and also new and improved electrical controlling devices, a diagrammatic view of which is illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the said devices being connected with the electric generator by means of the downwardly extending wires 77 and 78.

It will be seen that if the said wires were extended downwardly through the said tube and. connected to a stationary mechanism beneath, the said wires would become twisted as the tube 18 is rotated within its bearings when the turbine is in operation. To overcome this diiilculty I have provided current collecting devices secured to the lower end :insulating' material, the saidsleeve being secured to the tube 18 by means of the screws 82. Secured around. the I sleeve 81- 'Ihave 76 provided three annular conductors 83, which are spaced slightly apart from each other. These conductors are secured in position by means of the screws 84, 85 and 86, which are extended inwardly throughthe block 80. The lower ends of the wir'es77 [and 78 are l secured to the screws 84 and 85 respectively by "means of the nuts87 and 88. Secured around the sleeve 81 and adjacent to the top edge of each of the annular conductors 83 is 85 an inverted cup shaped insulating device 89, designed to form a weather shed for said conductors and also to furnish insulating means between said conductors. Secured to two of the upright members 10 is a hori- 90 I zontal insulating bar 90 which lies adjacent to the said conductors. Secured tothe bar 90'is a plurality of spring actuated conducting members 91, 92 and93, one of which is designed to coact with each of'the conduc- 95 tors 83. f l 7 Thus it will be seen that the tube 18 may be free to rotate and with. it a number of conducting wires that current maybe con-- ducted from each of the said wires to the said springactuated conductors.

Referring to the diagramin Fig. 9, I have indicated the series'wind of the generator by the reference numeral 71 and the shunt, winding by means of the reference 105.

nal 99 I have provided a conductor 101 i which has its opposite end connected to the spring actuated conductor 92. The'terminal 97 is provided with a-conductor wire102, the opposite end of which is connected, to the switch block 103. The switch block 103 is designed to coact with the switch arm 104, which has secured to it the conductor 105, the opposite end of which is connected with the spring actuated conductor 91.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a circuit between the generator 72 and the storage battery 96,- which I shall call the main circuit, when the switch 104 is in the position illustrated. I have provided be- .tween the main circuit, wires 105 and 101,

valvolt rheter106 connected therewith by means'of the conductors 107 and 108. 'Sethepin 125, thereby disconnecting themam cured to. the spring actuated conductor 93 is a conductor109, one end of which is connected to a rheostat 110, said rheostat being connected to the conductor 105 by means of the conductor 111.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided means for varying the resistance in the shunt wind coil 71, and thereby manual means for controlling the voltage output of the generator 72. In devices of this kind,

it is essential to provide means for automatically opening the main circuit when the electric generator has ceased to operate. For automatically accomplishing this result, I have provided the following devices:

The switch arm 104is provided with a pin 112. Pivotally secured to the pivotal point of said switch is a slotted sector 113, the said sector being provided with a pin 114, the said pin 114 being designed to carry two solenoid core members 115 and 116. Secured to the outer end of the pin 114 is a contractile coil spring 117, the lower end ofwhich is secured to a pivot 118, lying in a vertical line to the pivot of said switch member.

Surrounding the outer end of the core member 116, I have provided a solenoid 119, one end of which is connected with the wire 101, and the opposite end of which terminates in a contact point 120. The opposite core member 115 is provided with a solenoid 121, one end of WhlCh is provided with a conductor 122, the end of which is provided with a contact member 123.

The opposite end of the solenoid 121 is provided with a conductor 124, which is con nected to a contact point 125, the contact point 125 being designed to coact with the switch 104, when in one of its positions. The volt meter 106 is provided with a contact 126, which is connected to the main circuit wire 101. The contact 126 is designed to .be engaged by the indicating finger 127 The finger 127 is provided with a conductor 128, connected with the contact point 125, in which is a relay 129. The conductor 102 is provided with a polarized relay 130. p

Assuming that the generator 72 is being operated at normal speed and the battery 96 is being charged, the switch 104 will be in .contact with the block 103, as illustrated.

circuit through said switch.

When the generator 72 has ceased to opcrate, the finger 127 will disengage the contact 126. If the generator should aain establish its normal speed, the finger 12 would engage the contact 126 and a circuit would be established through the relay 129 and the conductor 128 and the switch member 104 to the main circuit 105, thereby causing the armature of the relay 129 to engage the contact 123, establishing a circuit through the conductor 131 and the conductor 122, the solenoid 121 and the circuit 124 to the switch 104. This would cause the core member 115 to move into the solenoid '121 and with it the switch 104'to again establish the main clrcuit.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a simple, durable and inexpensive device for automatically controlling the charging of the stora e battery.

The advantages of my improved generating system may be largely seen from the foregoing description. It will be seen that should the wind wheel operate at less than the proper speed to cause the generator to. charge the battery, the mechanism hereinbefore described will break the circuit between the generator and battery. When, however, the wheel travels at a suflicient rate of speed to enable the current generated to overcome the current from the battery, then the switch will be automatically operated to close the main circuit and the battery will be charged.

It will readily be seen that when the battery is charged up to a certain point it will 5 take a very rapid speed of the wind wheel to keep the main circuit closed, and as a matter of fact, in practice the construction shown furnishes means for breaking the circuit, which on account of the automatic governor prevents the wheel from traveling at greater than a predetermined maximum speed.

The construction of the means for mounting the generator is such that the heaviest 5 weight is imposed almost over the center of the tower. The generator turns with the wheel, and thereby makes it possible to dispense with the ordinary weather vane com- I monly usedwith the wind wheel. 12:;

The use of the collectors on the cylinder 18 makes it possible to, continue the operation of the device without twisting-the conducting wires. In this connection it may be noted that the flexible device 67 is provided with a swivel 200, whereby one portion of said flexible device may be rotated with the other portions thereof.

It will be understood that numerous changes may be made in the details of the 130 tures,

switch, and means actuated throug construction of my improved aero-turbine, without departing from its essential feaand it is my intent to cover by this application any such changes which-may be included within thescope of my claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a generator rotatably mounted and having series and shunt windings, a rheostat in the circuit of the shunt winding, a storage battery in said circuit with said generator, a

- volt meter in parallel with said storage battery, a switch in said circuit, a polarized relay in said circuit, means controlled through said volt meter for closing said 'said polarized relay for opening said switch, and electric circuit on said storage battery.

2. In adevice of the class described, a

generator having series and shunt windings,

trolled through said volt meter for operat-' actuated switch control to swltch, and means actuated through said polarized relay for operating said actuated switch control to' open said ing. said spring close said switch. I

Des Moines, Iowa, September 8, 1914.

FREDERICK ALBERT HERWEHE.

Witnesses:

D. E. Fos'rnn, ADAM HERWEHE. 

